Ranked of Public Interest since 1971, the Castle is the subject of study by IPPAR – Portuguese Institute of Architectural Heritage and Archaeological, with a view to their recoverability and classification of areas surrounding the Ribeira de Quarteira as Protected Landscape Area. This study includes the identification of various nuclei of archaeological and ethnographic as well as the characterization of the existing fauna and flora.

Despite successive restorations its condition has degradeted and in our days only has a few sections of wall by the entrance tower and the main walls of the hermitage.

In the beginning of the 16th century with the transfer of the town inside the walls to the north it becomes clear  his state of semi-abandonment and later with the 1755 earthquake suffers partial collapse of walls and tower.

In the early times of the island of Flores a blond boy with blue eyes was fishing, after a few hours it seemed that he had caught something and began to hoist the wire. For his surprise he saw a very beautiful redhead girl with very shiny hair. The mermaid explained that he could not take her out of the water because she would die and he set her free! After that they would met every evening. The days passed and they fell in love but the situation seemed impossible. One day the mermaid told him the secret that would turn her into human, the fisherman would have to boot the her gills !

After thinking about it , because it seemed a barbaric act and could kill his beloved one, decided to proceed. Suddenly after collapsing the girl was able to emerge from water and for their surprise had two legs. Like all happy endings after some time they got married. This area of the island is designated by the Ponta Ruiva/Redhead Edge, because the boy was fishing at the tip of the rock and the color of the mermaid´s hair. This is a part of the island where most of the population is blonde / redhead and has blue eyes!

Will be delivered at you hotel within 48 hours

Here you can find a peace and a calm unmatched, ideal to rest . With breathtaking landscapes and an unique cuisine, a visit that will be remembered forever.

No matter if you only visit one or several islands there is always the will to return many times.

Can start with San Miguel, by far the most lively, with a considerable number of hotels and add more islands to have the perfect trip.

Throughout the Archipelago you can find various types of nautical activities, such as diving, whale watching and dolphins, deep sea fishing, surfing and body boarding. Or the marked trails for hiking , spend the day in a natural pool or on the beaches with volcanic sand.
Do not miss  the Furnas, the islet of Vila Franca do Campo or the ponds and waterfalls throughout the islands.

Visit the Nature Reserve Pinhal da Paz, the Pineapple and Tea  Plantations. Immerse in yellow water pool in the Natural Park of the Hotel Terra Nostra and eat the famous Portuguese stew made ​​in the center of the earth!

Here you can find different shows, a slide, an ice lake, a carousel, Santa´s House.

7th December- 1st January

Please check this link for prices and daily calendar: http://www.obidosvilanatal.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=229&Itemid=76

What is glamping? Nothing more than camping with Glamour .. recent in Portugal but with an increasing number of supporters. Ones does not have to be a professional camper but must  like fresh air, to be in contact with nature and in harmony with the wild, because all these projects’s number one worry is  the environment.

Imagine to be able to sleep in a tipi, traditional North American Indians, or a yurt, Mongolian tent, a safari or even a gypsy caravan! Do not be fooled, because inside  most have the same perks of a good hotel. No one sleeps on the floor but in beds, it  has fireplaces or stoves, some even have private or interior  bathrooms. In radical cases can be outside or shared.

Can be found in central and south of Portugal. In places like Penhas Douradas, Odeceixe or even Silves. Please note that they have limited rooms, eco resorts facing sustainable tourism that does not want to change the environment, therefore, have a limited offer.

To be able to enjoy a stay, you might have to book well in advance. A different alternative, an affordable new experience!

For four days and nights, the castle of Castro Marim receives kings and queens, knights in shining armor, jesters, jugglers, and noble ladies. The entire court will parade before the admiring glances of the many visitors who move here every year.

Tournaments on foot and horseback, street theater performances, banquets enlivened by period music and a fair of goods and crafts, complete the animation of these Medieval Days bringing up to today the magic and mystery of other times.

Starts August 22nd and ends August 25th.

Don´t miss it!!

The U.S. television CNN  in collaboration with the Surfing Magazine, made ​​a compilation of the 50 best ‘spots’ surf world, which included the beaches of Ericeira Portugal and the Algarve that occupy the 34th  and 31st  places.

In this list the Pedra Branca´s beach  in Ericeira, is honored as “one of the beaches with the best waves in Europe”  and  the beach Carrapateira in Algarve  is referred to a quiet place, “usually empty.”

What are you wating for?

Visit the Palace of Bacalhôa and discover the setting which dates back to the founders of the Avis dynasty.

Over the centuries, the architecture, the decor and the gardens of the Palace have been influenced by various owners, inspired by their travels across Europe, Africa and the Orient transforming the property into a rare gem.

As time has progressed, the estate has been beautified by Portuguese hand-painted tiles from the XV and XVI centuries evoking Moorish designs, and with a lakeside house with views over the estate.

Both inside and out, one can view unique pieces of the private art collection, passing through the gardens and vineyards to the lakeside house where the very first dated painted tile in Portugal can be found.

Opening hours (pre-booked):
Monday to Thursday: 9.30am | 10.30am | 11.30am | 2.30pm | 3.30pm | 4.30pm;
Friday: 9.30am | 10.30am | 11.00am
Minimum: 2 people; Maximum: 40 people
Duration of guided tour with wine tasting: 60 minutes
Cost: Winery €3,00; Quinta da Bacalhôa €4,00
Both estates: €6,00

Friday: 2.30pm | 3.30pm | 4.30pm;
Saturday: 9.30am | 10.30am | 11.30am | 2.30pm | 3.30pm | 4.30pm;
Minimum: 6 people; Maximum: 40 people
Duration of guided tour with wine tasting: 60 minutes
Cost: Winery €5,00; Quinta da Bacalhôa €8,00
Both estates: €10,00

For visitors with no prior booking, tours will take place in accordance with staff availability to conduct them.

The establishments called Cafés first appeared in Lisboa after the earthquake of 1755 and they were essentially social interaction spaces. At the time was required to put on a sign above the door announcing the business, a Marquis of Pombal´s decision.
Therefore, both the product and the word café invaded Lisbon’s  daily life.

In the early twentieth century café life is the society mirror. Cafés are places where people meet for critical debates and shape public opinion. Many of them have gained fame as host to artists and writers gatherings, political meetings as well as exhibition places to modernist and surrealist painters.

Throughout the history of mankind coffee consumption gained some enemies because of its exciting effects. However, all these arguments have been refuted and replaced by good reasons, such as aroma and flavor.
Coffee is deeply rooted in Portuguese culture.

Any times is good for a coffee, and it’s very common to arrange a meeting saying “Let’s get a cup of coffee”